Pittsburgh Film Festival
September 9-17, 2005Wednesday, September 14
8 pm Melwood Screening Room
WAR GAMES
8 pm Melwood Screening Room
ON THE FRONTLINES: CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE D.R.C.
Director: Marc Allen
Documentary. 2005. United Kingdom/Sudan. 58 min. English, Dinka and Arabic, subtitled.
East Coast Premiere
In January 2003, an amazing event took place in Southern Sudan. A few miles from the front line of one of Africa's longest and most brutal conflicts, thousands of children came together to compete in a barefoot, bootleg Olympics.
War Games tells the compelling story of the realization of the Twic Olympics, following events as they unfold and providing an intimate portrait of a community devastated by war, yet still determined to make the most of every moment.
Filmmakers/Distributors Contact Information:
coolhandproductions@yahoo.co.uk
Preceded by On the Frontlines: Child Soldiers in the DRC
Wednesday, September 14th, 8:00 pm, Melwood Screening Room
Director: WITNESS and Bukeni Beck (AJEDI-Ka)
Documentary. 2004. Democratic Republic of Congo. 15 min. Swahili and French, subtitled.
Pittsburgh Premiere
Militia groups in South Kivu, a region in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, use children as soldiers, the majority of them between the ages of eight and sixteen, and including both boys and girls.
An estimated 60% of combatants in the region are children, and 35% of these children are recruited voluntarily. The child soldiers are often supported in their endeavors by children and the community at large, and are led by a sense of patriotism and promises of prosperity.
On the Frontlines features powerful footage of several militia camps in the region, as well as compelling testimony from demobilized child soldiers recounting their horrifying memories of life in the militias.
Filmmakers/Distributors Contact Information:
Matisse Bustos
matisse@witness.org
The film precedes War Games
Wednesday, September 14th, 8:00 pm, Melwood Screening Room